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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Determination of flow areas for series-parallel compartment venting to satisfy pressure differential requirements.

A unique method for solving the design problem of determining the areas required to meet an imposed pressure differential limit is presented. The associated analytical technique for determining the transient pressure differentials in a multicompartment series-parallel connected system is also presented. In an effort to verify the results obtained by using the analytical methods presented, a test was conducted using a seven compartment system. It was found in the investigations that a computer program based on the analytical model described can determine the pressure, temperature, pressure differentials, and mass flow rates into and out of each compartment at subsonic or sonic velocities.

Kirby, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The use of infrared absorption to determine density of liquid hydrogen.

Experimental evaluation of the use of infrared absorption for determining the density of liquid hydrogen, and discussion of the feasibility of an airborne densitometer based on this concept. The results indicate that infrared absorption of liquid hydrogen is highly sensitive to the density of hydrogen, and, under the operating limitations of the equipment and experimental techniques used, the determined values proved to be repeatable to an accuracy of 2.7%. The desiderata and limitations of an in-flight density-determining device are outlined, and some of the feasibility problems are defined.

Unland, H. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Evaluation of the pulse-contour method of determining stroke volume in man.

The pulse-contour method for determining stroke volume has been employed as a continuous rapid method of monitoring the cardiovascular status of patients. Twenty-one patients with ischemic heart disease and 21 patients with mitral valve disease were subjected to a variety of hemodynamic interventions. The pulse-contour estimations, using three different formulas derived by Warner, Kouchoukos, and Herd, were compared with indicator-dilution outputs. A comparison of the results of the two methods for determining stroke volume yielded correlation coefficients ranging from 0.59 to 0.84. The better performing Warner formula yielded a coefficient of variation of about 20%. The type of hemodynamic interventions employed did not significantly affect the results using the pulse-contour method. Although the correlation of the pulse-contour and indicator-dilution stroke volumes is high, the coefficient of variation is such that small changes in stroke volume cannot be accurately assessed by the pulse-contour method. However, the simplicity and rapidity of this method compared to determination of cardiac output by Fick or indicator-dilution methods makes it a potentially useful adjunct for monitoring critically ill patients.

Alderman, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The determination of the satellite orbit of Mariner 9.

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the Mars orbital phase of the Mariner 9 trajectory as determined from Earth based radio data. Both the method and accuracy of the orbit determination process are reviewed. Analysis is presented to show the effects of Mars gravity model and node in the plane of the sky errors on the accuracy of orbit determination. In addition the long term evolution of the orbit from insertion to date is presented, and is decomposed into effects from the Mars gravity field, n-body perturbations, and solar radiation pressure. Since the orbit period is nearly commensurable with the Mars rotational period, the orbit experiences significant resonance perturbations. The primary perturbation is in-track with a maximum amplitude of 1000 km and a wavelength of 39 revolutions.

Born, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Determining distance to lightning strokes from a single station

Electronic system can rapidly determine location of lightning strikes occurring within 30 km range. Longer distances are also determined, but with reduced accuracy. Studies have shown that lightning bolt emits electromagnetic wavefront; distance to lightning is determined from ratio of magnetic to electric field.

Ruhnke, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Shielding application of perturbation theory to determine changes in neutron and gamma doses due to changes in shield layers

Perturbation theory formulas were derived and applied to determine changes in neutron and gamma-ray doses due to changes in various radiation shield layers for fixed sources. For a given source and detector position, the perturbation method enables dose derivatives with respect to density, or equivalently thickness, for every layer to be determined from one forward and one inhomogeneous adjoint calculation. A direct determination without the perturbation approach would require two forward calculations to evaluate the dose derivative due to a change in a single layer. Hence, the perturbation method for obtaining dose derivatives requires fewer computations for design studies of multilayer shields. For an illustrative problem, a comparison was made of the fractional change in the dose per unit change in the thickness of each shield layer in a two-layer spherical configuration as calculated by perturbation theory and by successive direct calculations; excellent agreement was obtained between the two methods.

Fieno, D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Satellite height determination using satellite-to-satellite tracking and ground laser systems

An attempt was made to use GEOS-C spacecraft height, as measured by the onboard radar altimeter, for an improved determination of the earth's gravitational field and for the determination of the variation of the physical surface of the oceans. Two tracking system approaches to accurately determine the spacecraft height (orbit) are described and their results stated. These are satellite-to-satellite tracking (SST) and ground-laser tracking (GLT). Height variations can be observed in the dm-regions using SST and in the m-region using present GLT.

Vonbun, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Explicit determination of lateral-directional stability and control derivatives by simutaneous time vector analysis of two maneuvers

An extension of the time vector technique for determining stability and control derivatives from flight data is formulated. The technique provides for explicit determination of derivatives by means of simultaneous analysis of two maneuvers which differ by a dependent control input. The control derivatives for the dependent input are also explicitly determined. This extended technique is preferable to the application of the time vector method to single maneuvers in that no estimates of derivatives are required. An example illustrating the application of the technique is given.

Gilyard, G. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Determining density of maize canopy. 1: Digitized photography

The relationship between different densities of maize (Zea mays L.) canopies and the energy reflected by these canopies was studied. Field plots were laid out, representing four growth stages of maize, on a dark soil and on a very light colored surface soil. Spectral and spatial data were obtained from color and color infrared photography taken from a vertical distance of 10 m above the maize canopies. Estimates of ground cover were related to field measurements of leaf area index. Ground cover was predicted from leaf area index measurements by a second order equation. Color infrared photography proved helpful in determining the density of maize canopy on dark soils. Color photography was useful for determining canopy density on light colored soils. The near infrared dye layer is the most valuable in canopy density determinations.

Stoner, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Signal-to-noise ratio determination circuit

A signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) determination of an input is described, having signal components within a given frequency range and noise components, without actual measurement of the noise components. Bandpass limiter having a constant signal plus noise output level is connected to the output of the first filter, the signal-to-noise ratio of the input to the bandpass limiter being linearly related to the dbm level of signal components at the output. Calibration is connected to the bandpass limiter and is responsive to the signal components at the output to derive the SNR of the input to the determination circuit. The SNR determination circuit is disclosed for use in a diversity receiver having a plurality of input channels.

Deerkoski, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Solar rotation as determined from OSO-4 EUV spectroheliograms.

Spectroheliograms obtained in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lines and the Lyman continuum are used to determine the rotation rate of the solar chromosphere, transition region, and corona. A cross-correlation analysis of the observations indicates the presence of differential rotation through the chromosphere and transition region. The rotation rate does not vary with height. The average sidereal rotation rate is given by omega (deg/day) = 13.46-2.99 sin squared B where B is the solar latitude. This rate agrees with spectroscopic determinations of the photospheric rotation rate, but is slower by about 1 deg/day than rates determined from the apparent motion of photospheric magnetic fields and from the brightest points of active regions observed in the EUV. The corona does not clearly show differential rotation as do the chromosphere and transition region.

Dupree, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Protonospheric columnar electron content determination. I - Analysis.

A combination of phase-path length difference and Faraday rotation angle data obtained from geostationary satellite transmissions is used to determine the integration constant necessary to convert phase-path length difference information into absolute values of total slant columnar electron content. The total content thus determined, which is the sum of the ionospheric and protonospheric contents, is measured with uncertainties about one order of magnitude smaller than the value of the protonospheric content. It is thus, in principle, possible to determine the latter by subtracting from the measurement the so-called 'Faraday content.' This idea, proposed by several authors in the past, is critically examined in the present paper. It is impossible to totally eliminate the ionospheric contribution to the measurements; however, it is shown that the degree of elimination depends on the type of distribution of the longitudinal component of the geomagnetic field along the path of observation. Satisfactory minimization of the ionospheric contribution can be accomplished only under certain geometries of observation.

Almeida, O. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Estimation strategies for orbit determination of applications satellites

A procedure for applying covariance analysis to determine the most efficient estimation strategy for satisfying the stringent mission requirements of long arc orbit determination of applications satellites is presented. The procedure is applied to the problem of satisfying mission requirements with respect to altitude determination of GEOS-C. It is shown that requirements are met when twelve dominant geopotential coefficients are estimated along with satellite state. This application of covariance analysis is general and can be applied to future applications satellites. Recommendations for future studies are also given.

Argentiero, P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Determination of aerosol content in the atmosphere from ERTS-1 data

The author has identified the following significant results. Significant results, relating the radiance over water surfaces to the atmospheric aerosol content, have been obtained. The results indicate that the MSS channels 4, 5, and 6 centered at 0.55, 0.65, and 0.75 microns have comparable sensitivity, and that the aerosol content can be determined within + or - 10% with the assumed measurement errors of the MSS. The fourth channel, MSS 7, is not useful for aerosol determination due to the water radiance values from this channel generally being less than the instrument noise. The accuracy of the aerosol content measurement could be increased by using an instrument specifically designed for this purpose. This radiance-aerosol content relationship can possibly provide a basis for monitoring the atmospheric aerosol content on a global basis, allowing a base-line value of aerosols to be established. The contrast-aerosol content investigation shows useful linear relationships in MSS channels 4 and 5, allowing the aerosol content to be determined within + or - 10%. MSS 7 is not useful due to the low accuracy in the water radiance, and MSS 6 is found to be too insensitive. These results rely on several assumptions due to the lack of ground truth data, but do serve to indicate which channels are most useful.

Griggs, M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

An error criterion for determining sampling rates in closed-loop control systems

The determination of an error criterion which will give a sampling rate for adequate performance of linear, time-invariant closed-loop, discrete-data control systems was studied. The proper modelling of the closed-loop control system for characterization of the error behavior, and the determination of an absolute error definition for performance of the two commonly used holding devices are discussed. The definition of an adequate relative error criterion as a function of the sampling rate and the parameters characterizing the system is established along with the determination of sampling rates. The validity of the expressions for the sampling interval was confirmed by computer simulations. Their application solves the problem of making a first choice in the selection of sampling rates.

Brecher, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Method of approximate determination of the characteristics of nonlinear vibrational systems

Methods are discussed for determining the characteristics of elements of nonlinear vibrational systems, from the results of analyzing forced vibrations which are approximate in themselves, since they are based on the use of experimental data. The constant components of the linearized characteristics and linearization coefficients are determined experimentally by finding the values of these quantities at different vibration amplitudes and frequencies and subsequent approximation of their analytical expressions. Simple and convenient, although approximate, formulas for determining the characteristics of vibrational systems from experimentally known functions are derived.

Atstupenene, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Comparison of techniques for determination of boundary layer transition in shock wave induced flows

Three methods of determining transition times in shock wave-induced boundary layers are compared. Experimental transition data for these comparisons were obtained in two different shock tube facilities for shock wave Mach numbers from 3.0 to 5.5. Bias in determining transition times by the conventional thin-film temperature history and difficulty in reading schlieren photographs suggest the use of a new heat-flux technique for determining transition. It is suggested that the heat-flux technique be used when possible, because of better sensitivity and a view of the entire transition process and because it reveals important information concerning departures from theoretical laminar boundary-layer development. Transition results presented extend the range of data available in the literature and are in good agreement with existing data through transition Reynolds numbers of 1,000,000.

Hall, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On the lidar determination of atmospheric transmittance

A solution of the lidar equation is given with the aim of determining the attenuation coefficient of the atmosphere under conditions of the existence of a relation between it and the effective backscatter area. The errors of determining the attenuation coefficient from measurements of the echo signal power are analyzed. A proposed method of determining that coefficient by sounding with variable pulse lengths is examined.

Stepanenko, V. D.↗